An apparatus, product monitoring system, and a method of measuring an amount of product on a roller are provided. The method includes receiving a first position distance between a position sensor and an exterior edge of the roller. The method also includes comparing the first position distance with a predetermined position distance. The predetermined position distance defines the distance between the position sensor and the exterior edge of the roller at a specific amount of product left on the roller. The method further includes determining the amount of product left on the roller based on the comparison of the first position distance and the predetermined position distance. The method still further includes causing the transmission of a signal relating to the amount of product left on the roller.

A system for monitoring a usage of rolled or stacked disposable sanitary product in a predetermined location or facility and providing information associated with said usage to one or more users, comprising: (a) one or more optical sensors mounted at respective locations associated with where the product is dispensed and configured to monitor a diameter of the roll or height of the stack and transmit data associated therewith; and (b) one or more receivers configured to receive and transmit said data to one or more databases for storage, processing, analysis and/or user notification regarding product usage.

A monitoring device can be configured to be coupled to a product dispenser to provide monitoring functionality for the product dispenser. The monitoring device can include a network gateway microcontroller configured to perform operations. The operations can include establishing a wireless connection with one or more dispenser monitoring devices, each of the one or more dispenser monitoring devices associated with a dispenser. The operations can include obtaining dispenser data from the one or more dispenser monitoring devices via the wireless connection. The operations can include providing the dispenser data via an internet connection to a cloud-based management service.

Methods, systems and apparatus for determining product use by acoustically sensing actuations of product dispensers to determine how much product remains, and, optionally, alert a provider when low product states exist

A detection and reporting device for determining a usage event indicating a use of a piece of hygiene equipment, the detection and reporting device comprising a positioning section that allows determining positional information indicating a position of the detection and reporting device; a sensor section configured to sense over a time span an observable indicating a use of the piece of hygiene equipment and to generate usage event information on the basis of the sensed observable; and a reporting section configured to generate and transmit a message on the basis of said usage event information and on information allowing an association to said positional information.

A flexible mounting system for a chemical product dispenser includes a dispenser holder and at least one mounting apparatus. The dispenser holder may be attached to the mounting apparatus by means of a releasable connection mechanism. The releasable connection mechanism may provide for attachment of the dispenser holder to the mounting apparatus in multiple orientations. In one example, the mounting apparatus includes a mounting bracket configured for mounting to a support object, such as a wall, table, counter top, cabinet, shelf, cart etc. In another example, the mounting apparatus includes a mounting clamp configured for mounting to ledges, poles, bedrails, handles, etc.

A system and method are provided for improving product usage prior to refill of product dispensers in service areas that include a plurality of such dispensers. Via a sensor configured with each of the product dispensers and a control system in communication with the sensors, a product level or amount condition of product in each dispenser is detected. Based on the information from the sensors, a visual or audio message is generated and transmitted to the patron that encourages the patron to use a first product dispenser that has a greater product fill amount as compared to a second product dispenser in the same or a different service area.

An exemplary dispenser includes a housing and a refill unit. The refill unit being removable and replaceable. The dispenser also includes a processor, memory, a dose count stored in memory that is indicative of the number of doses in a full refill unit, a level sensor for detecting a predetermined level the refill unit and a dispense count indicative of the number doses of product dispensed from the refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes memory and has logic stored in the memory for recalibrating the number of doses remaining in the refill unit as a function of the dose count, the number of doses of product dispensed and the predetermined level of product. The number of doses of product remaining in the refill unit may be displayed on the dispenser, on a remote station, or on both the dispenser and a remote station.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a sheet material dispenser. The dispenser can include support for supporting a supply of the sheet material, and a feed roller arranged along a feed path of the sheet material downstream from the supply of sheet material that is operable to pull the sheet material from the supply of sheet material for feeding thereof. Additionally, the dispenser can include a controller that is in communication with the feed roller and includes programming for monitoring rotation of the feed roller during a dispensing cycle for feeding a selected length of the sheet material from the supply of sheet material. A material supply monitoring system further can be in communication with the controller, and operative to detect a number of rotations or an angle of rotation of the supply sheet material during at least a series of dispensing cycles.

Methods, systems and apparatus for determining product use by acoustically sensing actuations of product dispensers to determine how much product remains, and, optionally, alert a provider when low product states exist.